German Federal Minister of Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger (CDU), announced the launch of a nationwide citizen app at a “Handelsblatt” event in Berlin. The app is intended to serve as a central service portal where users can submit applications, book appointments, and retrieve information about public services. Wildberger said he will present the concrete details in late June or July.
The app will be tightly integrated with a digital “wallet” that securely stores identification documents, driver’s licences, and age proof on smartphones, allowing online identity verification. The use of both the wallet and the app is voluntary; Wildberger emphasized that citizens should decide how they engage with digital services. The goal is to simplify administrative procedures, ease the burden on businesses, and give young people a safe entry point to digital offerings.
Wildberger also touched on social media, data protection, and age verification. He supported age restrictions for minors in the debate over a potential social‑media ban for under‑age users, citing the state’s duty of care. At the same time, he offered a midway assessment of the modernization agenda, highlighting progress in relieving citizens and businesses while stressing the need for Germany to advance technologically.
